Kuwait's emir accepts cabinet resignation: state news

Kuwait's entire cabinet resigned on Monday ahead of a vote of no-confidence in a minister facing allegations of mismanagement.

Kuwait's ruling emir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah accepted the resignation of the prime minister Sheikh Jaber Mubarak al-Sabah and his cabinet, state news agency KUNA reported, asking them to continue important duties until a new cabinet is sworn in.

Speaker of Kuwait's parliament Marzouq Al Ghanim said that he will not be calling for parliamentary meetings until a new government is formed.

A cabinet shakeup had been expected, parliament sources told local media.

Lawmakers were preparing this week to discuss a no-confidence vote in Information Minister Sheikh Mohammed al-Sabah after he was questioned over violations of budgetary and legislative rules, Kuwait Times reported.

The major oil producer has the oldest legislature among the Gulf Arab states and experiences frequent cabinet reshuffles. The latest government was formed in February.

Unlike other Arab states in the Gulf, Kuwait has an elected parliament with powers to hold ministers to account, even though senior members of the ruling family hold all the top cabinet posts.